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 as
well. 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.
