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A bustling, muscular winger, famed for his bushy moustache and his livewire personality, Bernie Fraser was adored by his fans and one end of the Wellington ground where he played was even named "Bernie's Corner" in honour of his try scoring feats. His international debut came on the 1979 tour to the UK which included a 10-9 victory over England, thanks in part to some selection blunders by the home side. His wing partner on that trip was his great friend and Wellington teammate Stu Wilson, and the two would eventually write a joint autobiography about their escapades entitled "Ebony and Ivory". In 1980 Bernie made his debut against the Aussies, playing the third test of the Bledisloe Cup rubber. He scored his first test try in that encounter, but the match was lost 26-10, and so with it the series.
Later that year Bernie participated in another trip to the British Isles, this time to Wales on a "rugby diplomacy" tour following years of bad feeling between the two countries. The Centenary Test was won by an impressive margin of 23-3, and Bernie scored another try. In 1982 he lined up against the Aussies again and scored in the 23-16 first test victory. In the deciding third, Bernie memorably tangled in front of the cameras with Wallaby centre Michael Hawker, although the Aussie later admitted that with flanker Mark Shaw getting in on the act as well, Fraser had been the least of his concerns: "All that worried me was not where was Bernie Fraser, but where the hell was Mark Shaw, because every time Mark Shaw hit someone - he broke his jaw!" He played in all four tests of the Lions series in 1983 and toured the UK in the Autumn, scoring two more tries in a 25-25 draw with Scotland. His final appearance came in 1984 in a 16-9 defeat against Australia in Sydney. In total Bernie won 23 caps and scored 6 tries. (Jon Collins)
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