Mark ALLEN

Mark "Bull" Allen won eight caps at prop spread over four years and earned the reputation of being a "super sub" or in modern parlance "an impact player". Indeed, seven of those eight caps were either as replacement or temporary replacement and his only start came in the second test against England on the 1997 UK tour (see photo above). There is no doubt that "Bull" made some great cameo appearances, but he was probably unlucky to have played in an era when New Zealand had the best front row in the world, courtesy of Messrs Fitzpatrick, Dowd and Brown. Distinctive for his shaved head, Mark enjoyed a cult following amongst the New Zealand fans and his appearances were always eagerly awaited. Whilst performing his warm up exercises on the sideline in the middle of a game, the fans would chant "Bull! Bull! Bull! Bull!" in a rising crescendo in anticipation of Allen's arrival.

Then, when the call finally came, Bull would charge onto the pitch like a man possessed, flailing his arms like a windmill and sending the supporters into delirium. His first test came in 1993 against Western Samoa, but he would have to wait three years for his next appearance when he appeared against Scotland in Auckland, a game which New Zealand won 36-12. He played in both tests against Argentina in the same year, and then in 1997 contributed to New Zealand's retention of the Tri-Nations trophy with substitute appearances against South Africa and Australia. It was in his only start against England later that year that he made one of his most telling contributions when his bullocking run set up a try for Walter Little. The game ended up 26-26, and it proved to be the final time that Mark pulled on the famous black shirt. (Jon Collins)