The physical exertions of farming were central planks in the often told foundations of the Meads and Clarke rugby stories. Down south, way down, just 80kms north-west of Invercargill, Ken Stewart used similar principles to get himself ready.
He needed to sharpen his sprint work when he shifted into looseforward so when he worked on his parents' sheep farm he would mix work with athletics training in the paddocks.
Stewart announced himself to the world, via the amazed views of the UK press who watched him nail the Lions champion five eighths Barry John several times in the tour match against Southland. It was another year before Stewart was picked for his first All Black tour game and another year after that for his test debut.
It was a huge success for the "self-sacrificing type who pursues the ball relentlessly and fearlessly charges in at every breakdown to get it back. Stewart filled the role perfectly.
He played many, many outstanding games. Champion tackler with a giant-sized heart," the DB Rugby Annual said.
For the next period Stewart and Kevin Eveleigh chased the openside position with the selectors unable to separate them on the '76 tour of South Africa and giving them two tests each.
Stewart quit the game for two years because of injury, farming commitments and then his marriage but was back for another injury affected tour of Europe then the 1981 visit from the Boks. He was sharp in the opening two contests but missed the flour bomb test because of injury.
Statistics Date of birth: 3 January 1953 Position: Flanker Matches: 55 Tests: 13 Test debut: 15 September 1973 v England, Auckland Last test: 29 August 1981 v South Africa, Wellington Province: Southland Test tries: 6 Test points: 24
