100 Greatest All Blacks: Grant Fox

If there is anyone as intense about his rugby analysis as Grant Fox, I have yet to meet them.

Which probably explains why Fox is regarded so highly as a selector and in his playing days, was so valued by Auckland and the All Blacks for his dedication to crafting his gifts to their limit.

His goalkicking routine was so reassuringly familiar from placing the ball, the unhurried reverse, finger-shaking deep breathing moments before the strike.

There was also similar surety about his general play and match control as Fox played a key role in the 87-91 All Black era. He was a perfectionist and very tough on himself and that annoyance could bubble over.

There have been times when he and those close to him have chastised me for some observations. It was all part of the passion they felt for the sport, the All Blacks and their man.

Fox was a survivor. He outlasted the World Cup cull of '91 which claimed a number of his close mates and went on to be part of a test victory in South Africa and a Lions series win the year after.

He spent time working with Auckland and the Blues until he became an All Black selector in 2012. It was a job he discounted once his playing days were done but like most of us he changed.

"They set themselves up to be knocked down, jumped on, laughed at, abused, lampooned and generally punched, bored and screwed by a nation of people who all now better because they once played left wing for the Parenata-Plimmerton fourths, coached the Ngakawau fifths or once watched a video called Rugger Made Easy," Fox said 21 years ago.

Now he helps Steve Hansen and Ian Foster choose the All Blacks.

BACK TO WYNNE GRAY'S 100 GREATEST ALL BLACKS

Statistics
Date of birth: 6 June 1962
Position: First five-eighth
Matches: 78
Tests: 46
Test debut: 26 October 1985 v Argentina, Buenos Aires
Last test: 31 July 1993 v Samoa, Auckland
Province: Auckland
Test tries: 1
Test points: 645