MacFarlane Alexandra Piripi Herewini looked immaculate when he took the field. He was a dapper five eighths, his uniform bristled with attention, the collar and creases always looked in the right place, his socks were up and his boots neatly polished.
Everything about his play seemed the same aswell. There was a snap and crackle about Herewini's play each time he played for Auckland and the All Blacks.
When he ran the blind his darting runs wafted him outside the defences while his tactical kicking had a crisp edge to it. Herewini's instincts were about attack but as he rose up the rugby ladder, more restrictions were put on his play.
The All Blacks wanted to use their forwards to unravel the opposition and Herewini and the backs were to ice those offerings or kick them out of trouble when that appeared. The five eighths was involved in series against the Springboks, Lions and several lengthy tours to the UK which increased his appearances.
Anyone who could move from the remote backblocks of Mokai to play for Auckland as a teenager and then graduate to the All Blacks while still 21 and slight, was a fascinating study in sport.
Herewini looked like he could dance on ice without skates. That sort of ritual was captivating as snarling looseforwards attempted to sack the five eighths or remind him who bossed the field.
Trips to Eden Park to watch the All Black pair of Des Connor and Herewini were a magical exercise in watching how they could run a game of rugby. Connor's array of skills and swift pass to the dancing prancing Herewini showed how they became the industrious spine for sides fortunate to have their gifts.
Statistics Date of birth: 17 October 1940 Position: First five-eighth Matches: 32 Tests: 10 Test debut: 22 September 1962 v Australia, Auckland Last test: 19 August 1967 v Australia, Wellington Province: Auckland Test tries: 1 Test points: 21
