All Blacks year by year

And there's a many a Kiwi who has rung him on this day in the years since - after he grew to be one of our greatest All Blacks.

KEARNS, PHIL
New South Wales and Australia
67 internationals 1989-99

A Wallaby World Cup winner in 1991 who went on to play in three World Cups and become one of the world’s toughest and most competitive hookers. Back in 1989 Phil Kearns was one of Bob Dwyer’s young Wallaby picks, chosen out of Sydney club play to play the All Blacks. He was part of Dwyer’s long term plan with Australia’s future in mind. The plan worked. Players like Kearns, Tony Daly, Tim Horan and Jason Little all came through to be major factors in Australia’s victory over England at Twickenham to secure the second World Cup final.

In his career Kearns’ most competitive rival was the New Zealander Sean Fitzpatrick. They met on a number of occasions and several times they were rival captains as well. Kearns captained his country ten times in all but was then replaced as leader by Michael Lynagh for the 1995 World Cup.

Injuries took their toll on Kearns several times during his career. And after he suffered a severe Achilles tendon tear it was thought he might never make the top tier of play again. But after a gap of 18 months he was back in time to be part of the Wallaby squad which won again in the World Cup of 1999. Such courage to return was typical of this tough, uncompromising player who was much admired wherever he played.

In his retirement years he has continued his association with the game via Television commentary in Australia.

Bob Duff (Canterbury) In 1956 he captained NZ to beat South Africa in two tests; in 1957 he captained Canterbury to beat the All Blacks in Christchurch.